u/Dear_Comfortable_877

Hey RT friends! I’m looking for some advice from anyone who’s taken the CSE. I took it last month and missed passing by 10 points, and I’m scheduled to retake it on the 6th.

I’m feeling stuck on when to intubate based on ABGs. Everything I’ve studied suggests you typically don’t intubate unless the pH is below 7.25. Even at 7.26, the “NBRC hospital” mindset points more toward NIPPV. Lindsey Jones really emphasized that you generally avoid intubation unless the pH drops under 7.25.

But I came across a practice question where the pH was 7.27, and because it was above 7.25, I worked through all the other options before intubation, which ended up being what the question was actually looking for. That’s where I’m getting confused, and honestly, it makes me

think this might be where I lost points on my last exam.

So now I’m second guessing myself, how strict is that pH cutoff? Are there situations on the CSE where you’d still intubate even if the pH is slightly above 7.25?

I know real life practice can be different, I’m specifically trying to understand how to approach CSE-style questions when it comes to IPPV and intubation. If anyone has CSE tips, especially if you’ve passed recently, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!!

Hey RT friends! I’m looking for a little advice from anyone who’s taken the CSE. I took it last month and missed passing by 10 points and I’m retaking it on the 6th.

I’m kinda stuck on when to intubate based on ABGs. Everything I’ve studied says you really don’t intubate unless the pH is below 7.25. Like even at 7.26 you’re supposed to go with NIPPV thinking in terms of “NBRC hospital.” Lindsey Jones even drilled that in basically don’t intubate unless it’s under 7.25.

But I had a practice question where the pH was 7.27 and because it was over 7.25 I went through and picked all the other options first before intubation which is what the question actually wanted. That’s where I’m getting confused and honestly where I feel like I might’ve messed up on my last exam too.

So now I’m second guessing it… when would you actually intubate based on pH alone? Is that cutoff super strict or are there situations where you’d still intubate even if it’s a little higher?

Also if anyone has any CSE tips especially if you’ve passed recently I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!!